bentonville

Summer is awesome! Something about it just beckons you to take to the road for adventures! Thankful today for the ability to take to the road, the stops along the way and the unexpected gifts from a whirlwind week.

Josh and I took to the road nine days ago for what would be a six state, three stop adventure! First stop…seeing my baby girl and her babies! Going back to Northwest Arkansas is still so strange, but this was the second trip back and I am finding while I still miss the people greatly…..I’m less tied to the area with each visit. We were not a Wal-Mart associate or vendor family, so it can be a tough area for a man if you don’t fit in one of those niches. Anyhoo (Thanks to Sheldon.).

I scored an awesome Hilton points plus cash deal at the Rogers Embassy, so we were able to enjoy hotel life and that wonderful feeling of tossing the towels on the floor. (You know you do it too!) We got in a tad late, so the first night we didn’t see anyone…but we did….oh yes, we did….enjoy Slim’s Chicken. Oh, how I have missed real chicken tenders and fried pickle slices.

Walking into my baby girl’s house the next morning and having those precious kiddos so eager to see their Mimi-priceless. Those kiddos make you feel as if you are twenty years younger! After great debate on the plans for the day, we opted to go spend some time at the Bentonville square. A little time at the park followed by a great lunch at Station Cafe. Soon, the kiddos were not happy with the heat of the day, so we decided to make a trek to Chick-Fil-A for a snack and then to Target for swimwear! Then it was back to the square for time at the Splash Park!

Are they not the cutest kiddos in the entire world?

While at the splash park, I got to have a quick visit with my special friend, Shelley. We have known each other ever since Josh was about three years old!

Josh and I were worn out from chasing the two kiddos all around the park! They had a super time and while it took them a bit to warm up to the squirting water, before you blinked, Blane was in full boy mode! Ella, well, Ella is still unsure of what to think..but she sure does like other kiddos juice boxes! Gross-out boy moment..Blane finding an empty water bottle (PS-people toss your trash!)…and we looked up and he was filling it with the Splash Park water and DRINKING IT! Eww!!!!

Tired kiddos and hungry adults made for a trip to dinner then we sent the kiddos and their Mom on their way to rest for the next day! Josh and I then were able to drop in on the Magees and see my dear friend Karilea. We have known each other since our oldest were in early elementary school!!!

Day Two began with Mimi walking in the door of our baby girl’s house and being greeted by two kiddos with arms open wide. BE STILL MY HEART! Mom had some shopping errands to run, so we took on the Promenade. The kiddos played at the cute little playground they have and well…..someone (had to be a non-parent person) has placed those quarter eating rides next to the playground….anyone wanna guess how long the playground pleased the kiddos? Fun day…and who can resist a kiddo going “Choo-Choo” or “All Aboard!”

After playtime, we were all hungry and who could turn down another opportunity to eat at Slim’s!!!! Not me!!! The day had really warmed up and outside play was just not appealing after lunch. So, we took a chance and went to Little Giggles in Bentonville. This place is so wonderful!!!!! If you have a child under the age of five…take them!!!! Make sure child and adults have socks! They sell them, but you can save a little money by bringing your own. Snacks and drinks are also offered for sale. It is SUPER clean and the kiddos LOVED IT!!! Mommy was able to leave for a bit and get her nails done while Mimi and Josh held down the fort.

Soon it was time to say good-bye and send the baby girl and her kiddos on their way. Elizabeth wasn’t home this trip, so my heart was so sad that we didn’t get to spend time with her, but so joyful that we made so many sweet memories with the littles.

Later that day, I had planned a night out with two dear friends….Shelley and Robin. We can’t get good Tex-Mex where we live now, so I was thrilled we were going to Chuy’s! It was so yummy. We always have such a good time…so much laughter! We didn’t want the night to end, so we may have shut down Tropical Smoothie after dinner. The Watermelon Mint Mojito is soo tasty! With quick hugs, we went our separate ways much too soon. I miss my people. (Deepest apologies to those I could not see this trip! I’ll be in town for a much longer visit in August!)

The next morning, we packed our bags and began the second part of #mimiadventures. We were headed to Nashville. Given we go through Memphis on the way, I decided to make a slight detour and take Josh to Tupelo to see his grandmother. We were able to spend some super time together over dinner and spent the night at her house. This is Lee’s Mom and we don’t get to see her very often…especially Josh…so I know the time was special to her..and to us!

Soon it was time to wake up and begin the next trek of #mimiadventures . Off to Nashville!!! We got into Nashville about late lunch time. We tried to go to Loveless, but a TWO hour wait was not worth it…so I purchased my four jars of peach preserves and deferred to Joshua’s suggestion of Hattie B’s in Nashville. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! This place is so legit! The tenders, the pimento mac-n-cheese!!! SO good!!!

Next was the reason we came to Nashville….Josh headed to campus to practice for his Aspen trip to the Aspen Music Festival. The next few days were spent with Josh practicing for the festival, me hanging with my awesome sister and niece and the rest of the Moore clan and the newest member, Mary. We had pool time, fun meals together, nail time and I was also able to spend a lot of time with my Dad. I sure do miss him living close. My sis and I were able to give him and early Father’s Day celebration and cheesecake was had!

It was time to head back to Chicagoland. We are back for four days and then Josh is off to the Aspen Music Festival for the summer (We will see him again at college for move-in day.) and #mimiadventures part two begins again as I trek to Florida to hang with the sis and her family for a few days at the beach. It’s much cooler here than what we have dealt with the past few days…and I am SO happy!!!! Now for a fun few days with the three of us making the last minutes of our summer together count!

All total, I have gone about 2000 miles in eight days….and in those miles I got an unexpected gift! I never realized how much fun this week would be with my baby boy! We shared great laughs, serious conversations about life, politics, grad school options…great food, and I now have a week I will never forget! Babies don’t keep-they grow much too quickly.